Box handle



Jan. 2o, BOVTHWLL Q `Box HANDLE: Y

Filed April l. 1957 s s l l i s i A20-7' 524/' @fw 2f,

. 1N V EN TOR.

. www@ @50i/wea l BY nited V States Patent i' Box HANDLE William R.Bothwell, Marion,` Ind., assigner to Federal Paper Board Company, Inc.,Bogota, N. J., a corporation of New York d Application April 1, 19157,Serial No. 649,976 9 Claims. (Cl. 229-52) This inventionrelates topackaging and is more particularly concerned with improvements in boxesor cartons preferably made of paperboard or like material and adaptedfor use in packaging and transporting various articles of merchandise.

It is a general object of the invention to provide improvements in afolding box of the type wherein a hingedly related bottom or receptacleforming section and a top or cover forming section are moved `intotelescoped relation when closed and overlapping wall forming portionsthereof are held in register with each other by a handle forming memberwhich also latches the box sections together.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide in a boxconstruction of the type which is characterized byV tray-like top andbottom sections which are hingedly connected at one side edge so thatthey move into tele scoping relation, when closed, with wallV sectionsat the free side edges overlapped, an improved handle construction whichcomprises a rigid internal wall supporting bar and an integral externalhand gripping member which is insertable through registering slits inthe overlapped wall sections whereby the box may be readily carried andthe top and bottom sections are held in closed condition thereby. t i

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved handlemember for a `box of the type described which has an elongate barportion and an inverted U- shaped grip forming portion integraltherewith, the latter being adapted to be passed through registeringslots provided therefor in overlapping wall portions of the box, and theformer being positioned in supporting engagement with the inner wallportion, and said handle member having a locking element on the barportion which also projects through the registering slots and is adaptedto `lock the handle member in upright operative position.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a handle for abox or carton of the type described wherein the handle is formed from amolded plastic material and is so constructed that when it is assembledwith the box it remains in operative position `and strengthens andrigidities the overlapping wall portions in which it is mounted.

These and other objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparentfrom a consideration of the box or carton which is shown by way ofillustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a box having a handle associatedtherewith which incorporates the principal features of the invention;

yFigure 2 is a side elevation of the handle which is employed forcarrying the box; r

Figure 3 is across section on an enlarged scale taken on the line `3--3of Figure l; i

Figure 4 is a cross section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4of Figure l; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the box in partly closed (iii2,869,771 Pdtented Jan. 20, 1959 condition with the handle in p'ositionto be associated therewith.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a onepiece folding box10 formed of paperboard or similar material and having a handle 20associated therewith which embodies the invention. The illustrated box10 comprises a tray-like bottom or receptacle forming section 11 and acooperating top or cover forming section 12, with the two box sectionsbeing connected along opposite side edges of a hinge forming rear orbottom side wall 13 which is common to the two sections. The bottomsection 11 includes a bottom wall forming panel 14, end wall panels 15and 15' and a top or front side wall panel 16, the end wall panels 15,15 and the top side wall panel 16 being hinged to the edges of thebottom' wall panel 14 and extending at right angles to the same in theset-up condition of the box. The top section 12 of the box includes atop wall forming panel 17, end wall forming panels `18 and 18 and afront or top side wall panel 19, the end and sidewall panels beinghinged to the edges ofthe top wall panel 17 and extending at rightangles to the same in the set-up condition of the box. The two boxsections 11 and 12 are adapted, when the box is s'et up for use, to behinged on the bottom side wall 13 into closed telescoped relation withthe end walls `15, 18 `and 15', 18 and the top side walls 16 and 19 inoverlapping or registering position.

The handle 20 which is provided for` assembly with the box sections 11and 12 is arranged to form therewith a locking and carrying device. Itcomprises an elongate base forming bar member 21 which is of T-shapedcross section providing an upper surface 22 of substantial length andwidth. An inverted U-shaped bail-like hand gripping portion 23 extendsupwardly of the top surface 22 of the bar member 21 which may be ofgenerally rectangular cross section with the legs integrally joined withthe bar 21. The handle 20 is also provided at the center of the bar 21with `an upstanding pin formation which is shaped like a collar butt-on,having a stem portion 24 and a conical head 24 with the base of the headportion of somewhat larger diameter than the stem portion which supportsit.

The box sections 11 and 12 are provided in the top forming side walls 16and 19 with registering slits 25 and 26 of sufficient length to receivethe hand gripping portion23 of the handle 20. A relatively short crossslit 27 is provided at the center of the longitudinal slit 25 and tabformations 28 and 28 are provided at the ends of the latter, which areformed by C-shaped cutting lines 29 and 29 and score lines 30 and 30connecting the ends of the C-shaped cutting lines. In like manner across slit 31 is provided at the center of the slit 26 in the top sidewall 19 and tab formations 32 and 32 are provided at the ends of theslit 26 which are formed by C-shaped cutting lines 33 and 33 having theends thereof connected by score lines 34 and 34', respectively. d `Thebottom section 11 of the box is provided with hinged `locking tabs 3Sand 35 cut from the front side wall 16 which are in the form of a T andbendable about score lines 36 and 36,`the latter coinciding with thecorner forming juncture of the bottom wall 14 and front side wall 16.Cooperating locking slits 37 and 37 are provided in the front or topside wall 19 of the top section 12` of the box for receiving the lockingtabs 35 and 35', the latter being hinged outwardly about the score lines`36 and 36 prior to closing the box. sections, and being thereafterswung toward the outer face of the front side wall 19 with the freeend'portions bowed to engage the same in the locking slits 37 and 37.

The handle 20 may be conveniently` `assembledwith the box 10 by restingthe box on a support with the bottom section 11 in upwardly openingposition and the top section 12 swung back to permit merchandise to beplaced in the bottom section, the side walls of the latter beingopenedup and lthe locking `tabs 35J and 35 being alsorhinged to the openposition shown in Figure 5. `The vhandle 20.may 'then be assembledwithvthe front -Wall ."16 vbyf passing :the grippirlgjiportion-ZSrand thelocking pin 24 ,through the slits `25 and 27, respectively, *with fthe.legs of the' handle ,gripping portion.23 movingthe tabs .28 and 28upwardly about the score lines30 and 30. There- ,a-fter-,theztopsection-12.may befhinged into closed condition with the. side `walls 18and V19 being rstaopened outan'dthe igrippingportionfz of the handle,20,may beforced through the slit Y26 while-the head 24.of thelockingrpinfd sxforced `throughthercross slit 31. The legsofztheigripping portionv lgmovethe tabs32 and 32 upwardlytabouttheirlhinge lines 34and 34 so that they cooperate'iwith;the:;tabs 2andV28510 hold the legs. of the handle'Zil in lupright'position. Thelockingltab'sSS and 35 may then be .engaged `.with the cooperating lock-,ingfslits3'7tand37f in the wall 19 torsecure the two sections ofthe'box in locked relation.

ITheelongate bar portion 21 `of the handle 20 with its relatively nwidetop surface serves to support and stiften the top forming walls 16 and19 ofthe two box sections .while fthe gripping portion 23- of the handlefunctionsas alloclc to hold vthe two box sections together with the tabs128 and 23' and 32 and 32 tending to hold the grippingfpo'rtion 23 `inupstanding relation relative to the outermost wall 19. The.' lockingpin24 with its Vhead 124 engagingin the slits 27 and 31 prevents the handleZiifrorn"becorr'iing disengaged Whenit'is not lin use and also *helps tolock "the box sections against opening movement. vrl`he headp'ortion 24of the locking pin formation ris pointed on its top foreasy insertionthrough ltheslits in the box walls while the bottom of the same isfat-so `that it binds inthe two slots which are cut perpendicular oneacross the other and prevents the'handle from'dropping down into thebox.

vWhile specific details of construction and kparticular materials havebeen referred to in describing the form ofithe invention which isillustrated, it will be understood that other details of constructionand othermaterials maybe resorted to'within the spirit of the invention.

l claim:

1.' In a folding-box which is characterized by a receptacle formingsection and a cooperating cover forming section hingedly connected by abottom side wall and having end and top` ,side Walls which are inoverlapped relation when the box isclosed, saidfoverlapped top sidewalls Vhaving longitudinal slits which areL adapted to register witheach other, a handle offrelativelyrigid construction having an elongatebar portion and a baillike gripping portion extending therefrom, saidhandle being adapted to be assembled with saidbox so that it ispositioned with the barportion engaging with the inner surface of thetop sidewall of the receptacle `forming section and with the ,grippingportion projecting through saidregistering slits, 'and said handlehaving a headed locking member on said bar portion which .extendsthrough said slits .whenthe handle is assembled with the'boxandfrictionally engages the edges of the wall material at the slits therebypreventing relative-movement between said box sections and said handle.

2. '.In a boxformed oflilexiblelmaterial whichis characterized by abottom forming section and a top-forming section hinged to a connectingbottom side wall `and having end and top side walls which areinoverlapped relation when the boxis closed, said overlapped. top sidewalls having longitudinal and .transverse slits .which are adapted. to.register with each-other, .a preformedihandle of relatively rigid,construction :having: a .bar portion and agripping portion, saidhandlebeingadapted yto bexassembled with `said box so that the .bar portionengages with the inner surface of the top side wall of the bottomforming section and the gripping portion extends through saidregistering slits, and said handle having a headed locking memberextending upwardly of said bar portion which is adapted to projectthrough said slits at the juncture thereof and prevent relative movementbetween said box sections and said handle.

3. A preformed handle for'attaching to a box having cooperatingreceptacle and cover forming sections with two top forming walls in'overlapped relation when the box is closed, said top vforming wallshaving vregistering slits therein which extend longitudinally andtransversely in intersecting relation at `thecenter thereof, said`handle being formed of relatively rigid plastic material and having anelongate bar member ofVT-shaped cross section, and an integral invertedU-shaped gripping member extending upwardly from the top surface of thebar member, andsaidbar member having an upstandinglatch forming ,pinielement Vbetween the legs of ,the gripping member .which is adapted tobeinserted in the ltransversely extending slits insaid top forming wallswhen4 saidfhandle is assembled with said box so that the barmember/there-` Of-'is :within .the box and the gripping memberislpositioned-in .the -longitudinally extending slits in said topforming walls.

.4r In a folding box ywhich is characterized by a .traylikereceptacleforming section and a cooperatingucover formingsection-hingedalongopposite edgeszof a connecting. bottom side -wall and having end and topside-walls which are in overlapped relation when the-v box `is closed,said'overlapped -top sidewalls having longitudinal slitswhichiareradapted to registerwitlreach other in the closed position` ofythe sections, a preformed handle of relatively rigidconstruction havinga bar portion and a gripping portion, said :handle being adapted tobe'assembled-with the box so .that the bar portion ,engages with theinner surface of the `top side wall ,of the receptacle formingsectionandlfthe grippingporftion extendsythrough said registering slitswhen `theibox is closed, andsaid handle having zaftlocking vpin .on saidbar portion which is positioned to extend through said slits and whichis frictionally gripped by the edges of the wall material defining theslits soas ,to prevent relative movement between said box. VSection andsaid handle.

vS.-Incornbination With afpaperboard box Ywhich is characterized .byabottoml forming section and a top forminglsection Vhingedto oppositeedgesl of 'a connecting bottom l:sidetwalland having end .and top sidewalls which are-.inoverlapped relation when the box is closed, saidoverlapped top sidewalls having longitudinal slits which are;adaptedv toregister'with each other, a handle of relatively: rigid V,plasticmaterial having a base portion` which is in the formtof an elongate barwith a T-shaped cross sectionand a gripping'portion extending upwardlythereofvwhich .has an linverted U-shape, vsaid .handle beingadaptedto1beupositioned with the top of the bar portion engaging withtheinner surface of the top side wall of the bottom Vforming section and'with the gripping portion extending ythrough said registering slits,said handle hav ing a headed locking pin member projecting upwardlyoffthe center ofsaid .barxpo'rtionfwhichis adapted to extendthrough theslits Vin said :overlapped top side Walls and positionithe'head thereonfor vfrictionally vholding the handle in operative position andpreventing relative movement between :said boxl sections.

'6.A box ,having ncooperating `receptacle and cover forming sectionswith two top :forming .walls `inoverlapped relation when the `box isclosed, said top .forming walls having registering slits thereiniwhichvextend longitudinally and transverselyat the center thereof, Vand ahandle for said box which is .formed ofrelativelywrigid material,` saidhandle having an velongate bar membertof T-shaped cross section, and anintegrakinverted v.U-shaped gripping member `extending fromI` the top.surface of "the bar member, and said bar member having an upstandinglatch forming element thereon, said handle being adapted to be assembledWith the sections of said box in the closed position thereof, the barmember being positioned within the box, the gripping 'member beingpositioned in the longitudinally extending slits in said top formingwalls, and the latch forming element being positioned in thetransversely extending slits in said top forming walls therebypreventing disassembly of said handle and box.

7. A preformed handle for assembly with a box having cooperatingreceptacle and cover forming sections with two top forming walls inoverlapped relation when the box is closed, said top forming wallshaving registering slits therein which intersect and which extendlongitudinally and transversely at the center thereof, said handle beingformed of relatively rigid molded plastic material and having anelongate bar member and an integral inverted U-shaped gripping memberextending from the top surface of the bar member, and said bar memberhaving an upstanding headed pin forming a latching element thereon, saidhandle gripping member being inserted in the longitudinally extendingslits in said top forming Walls and said headed pin being inserted intransversely extending slits in said top forming walls at theintersection thereof with said longitudinal slits when said handle isassembled with the box so that the bar member thereof is positionedwithin the box and the gripping member is positioned outside the topforming walls, said headed pin preventing relative movement between thebox sections and holding the handle in assembled relation.

8. A box and a preformed handle adapted to be attached thereto, said boxhaving cooperating receptacle and cover forming sections with two topforming walls in overlapped relation when the box is closed, said topforming walls having registering apertures therein which ex- 3 tendlongitudinally and transversely at the center thereof, said handle beingformed of rigid plastic material and Cil having an elongate bar memberand an integral inverted U-shaped gripping member extending from the topsurface of the bar member, and said bar memberI having an upstandinglatch forming pin element with a head of greater diameter than the stemwhich connects it to the bar member, said gripping member beingpositioned in the longitudinally extending top wall apertures when thehandle is attached to the box with the bar member engaging the inside ofthe top walls and said pin element being positioned in the transverselyextending top wall apertures with the head thereof retaining thehandlein operative position in said apertures.

9. A box having cooperating receptacle and cover forming sections withtwo top forming walls in overlapped relation when the box is closed,said top forming walls having registering slits therein which extendlongitudinally and which terminate at their ends in locking tabformations With the tabs at corresponding ends adapted to hinge alongopposite longitudinal edges, and a handle which is formed of rigidplastic material, said handle having an elongate bar member and anintegral inverted U-shaped gripping member extending from the topsurface of the bar member, and said handle being assembled with the boxsections when the box is closed so that the bar member is positionedwithin the box and the gripping member extends through the slits in thetopi Walls with the legs thereof engaged by the free edges of thelocking tab formations thereby retaining the handle in operativeposition and locking the box sections against relative movement.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,138,336 Bronstein Nov. 29, 1938 2,344,009 Trogman Mar. 14, 19442,405,914 Van Rosen Aug. 13, 1946

